Friction shock absorbing mechanism



Dec. 15, 1931. J. F. ocoNNoR .v 1,836,186

FRICTION SHOCK ABSORBING MECHANISM Filed May 1e. 1929 Patented Dec. 15,17931 l UNITED STATES" PATENT OFFICE IOHN F. OCONNOR, OF CHICAGO,ILLINOIS, AssIeNon. To w. n. MINE-n, INC., or CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ACORPORATION or` DELAWARE Application filed -May 16,

This invention relates to improvements in friction shock absorbing`mechanisms. f

One object ofthe invention is to provide a friction shock absorbingmechanismv for railway draft riggings, having high capacity producedby-a plurality of coactingpwedgev and friction elements, whereineasyfand` cer;v tain release of the parts is assured.

A further object of the invention is to provide a friction shocklabsorbing mechanism including va friction casing and av follower memberrelatively'V movable toward each other, and spring f resistedv frictionwedge means cooperatingv with the casingcomprising a pluralityoflaminated plate springs and cooperating friction wedge members actuatedthrough compression of the` plate springs, the plates forming theVspringsbeing normally'bowed and flexed-to straighten the same 1 whenplaced under compression forces, whereby certain of the friction wedgemembers are forced apart laterally, thereby sliding the same on thecooperating friction wedge members, the latter'v being forced to slideon thecasing walls during the compression of the mechanism,therebyaugmenting the resistance.

A still further object of the invention is to provide friction shock.absorbing mechanism specially adapted for draft riggings of passengercars, including a friction casing; a main follower; a spring resistancemeans including a plurality of sets of bowed plate spring membersdisposed within the casing transversely thereof; a plurality of springfollower' members in the form of wedge blocks cooperating with the platesprings; .anda plurality of friction wedgeiblocks cooperating` Vwithfthefirst named wedge' blocks and having sliding frictional engagement withthe casing, wherein the followerand casing 1929. serial No; 363,637.

to the contraction of the spring resistance means lengthwise ofthemechanism. y ,A more specific object of the invention 1s to provide afriction shock absorbing meehanisin including a casing having interior,longitudinally disposed friction surfaces; a main follower movabletoward and away from the casing; frictionwvedge blocks having slidingengagement with the friction surfacesgof` the casingga pluralityofVpairs of laminated plate springs arranged transversely 4of themechanism, each pair including two sets of curved spring plates Vwiththeconven surfaces ofthe two sets in engagement, whereby Lpressure appliedto the plate springs lengthwise Of the mechanisnreifects `flexingV ofthe plates to straighten or flatten the same, thus causing elongation ofthe laminated plate springs transversely of the mechanism; and wedgeblocks cooperating with each laminated plate springy and having `wedgingengagement with the friction wedge blocks, thejwedge blocks beingforced` laterally outwardly` through the flexing action of the laminatedplate springs, thereby effecting slippagethereof on the friction wedgeblocks, additional Vfriction resist-ance being had by sliding movementof the friction wedge blocks on the casing wall due to contraction ofthe laminated plate spring resistance 80 specification, Figure 1 is ahoriozntal, longitudinal, sectional view through the underframestructure at one end of ay railwaycar illnstratingrmy improvementsin connection therewith. Figure 2 is a longitudinal, ver- 90 tica-l',sectional View of the friction shock absorbing mechanism'proper,corresponding substantially to theE line 2--2 of Figure l. Figure?) is atransverse, vertical, sectional view corresponding substantiallyY to theline 95 3--3` of Figure l. Figure fi is a detailed perspective viewof aspring'follower member employed in connectionwith my improvedmechanism.A And Figure 5 isa vertical,.see

tional view corresponding substantially to im the line 5 5 of Figure 1illustrating two adjacent spring follower members.

The said drawings 10u10 indicate channel-shaped center or draft sills ofa railway ear underframe structure to the inner sides of which aresecured front stop lugs 11-11 and rear stop lugs 12--12. The inner endportion of the usual coupler shank is designated by 13 and hasoperatively connected thereto a hooded yolre 14. My improved shockabsorbing mechanism and the front main follower 15 are disposed withinthe yoke and the yoke in turn is supported by a detachable saddle plate16 secured to the bottom flanges of the draft sills.

My improved shock absorbing mechanism proper comprises broadly a casino-A; a main wedge meml er l; four friction shoes C; six pairs of combinedspring follower and wedge members DMD; a main spring resistance means icluding three pairs of laminated plate springs EWE, E-lil, E-l; and apair of retainer bolts lll-F.

The casing A. is in the form of a rectangular box-like member havinglongitudinally disposed, spaced horizontal top and bottom walls lil-1T;spa-ced, vertical, longitudinally extending side 'falls 18-18 and atransverse, .f'ertical rear end wall 19. rlhe end wall 19 cooperateswith the stop lugs 12 in the manner of the usual rear follower. The sidewalls 1S present longitudinally disposed interior friction surfaces 2O20. At the inner end, the casing is provided with a pair of opposedwedge faces 21-21 which diverge for vardly of the mechanism, the wedgeiaces 21 being formed on thickened portions pro vided at the inner endsof the side walls 18 of the casing. The top and bottom walls 17 areprovided with longitudinally disposed, interior central enlargements22H22 which are in the form of relatively wide ribs and accommodate theretainer bolts.

The main wedge member B is in the form of a block having a transversefiat front face bearing directly on the inner sioe of the main follower15. r[he block B is telescoped within the front end of the casing A andis hollow as shown, having a pair of opposed interior wedge faces 2323onopposite sides thereof, the wedge faces 23 diverging inwardly of themechanism. At the top and bottom sides, the wedge block is provided withcentral pockets 24-Ql adapted to accommodate the heads of the retainerbolts FMF, the pockets presenting transverse abutment shoulders 25-25 attheir inner ends adapt d to limit outward movement of the wedge block Bby engagement with the heads of the retainer bolts.

The friction shoes C which are four in number are arranged in pairs atopposite sides of the mechanism. Each shoe C has a flat outer surface 26engaging the friction surface 2O at the corresponding side of the casingA. On the inner side, each shoe is provided with a pair of convergingwedge faces 27-27 which cooperate with the spring follower members D.

The main spring resistance, which is composed of three pairs oflaminated plate springs E-E, has the laminated plate spring elementsthereof arranged transversely of the mechanism as most clearly shown inFigure 1. Each pair of laminated plate springs E- n is spaced from thenent adjacent pair and the members of each pair are in abuttingrelation. Each laminated plate spring E comprises .a plurality ofrectangular plate spring members, which are curved lengthwise and aredisposed transversely of the neclianism. The plates otl each laminatedplate spring are nested, as shown, and have the members thereof curvedin a reverse direction' to the plates of the other spring member of thepair, the convex surfaces of each pair of laminated plate springs beingin abutting relation.

hecombined spring follower and wedge members D are arranged in pairs atopposite sides of the mechanism, each pair cooperating with one of thelaminated plate springs Each member D, as most clearly shown in Figures1, 5 and 6, is in the form of a bloei; having a pocket 28 adapted toreceive the corresponding end portion of the cooperating laminated platespring. fis shown, the pocket 28 has an end wall 29 e3;- tendingtransversely of the mechanism and cooperating with the laminated platespring in the manner of the usual spring follower. T he pocket 28 alsohas a longitudinally extending flat inner wall 30 which forms anabutment for the outer ends of the plate members of the laminated platespring. Each member D is also provided with an eX- terior wedge face 31.The spring follower members D are Varranged in front and in back of eachpair of laminated plate springs E-E and form front and rear spr igfollower members therefor. T he two pairs of spring follower members D,together with the cooperating pair of plate spring members E, form acombined friction wedge unit which when placed under compressionisexpanded in a lateral direction. One of the friction wed-ge units,including the two paiL s of spring followers and a pair of laminatedplate springs, is interposed between the main wedge member B and theoutermost pair of friction shoes C. Another wedge friction unit isinterposed between the two pairs of friction shoes C. Still anotherwedge friction unit is interposed between the innermost pair of rictionwedge shoes C and the wedge faces 2l at the inner end of the casing A.The spring follower members D of the friction wedge unit interposedbetween the meinber B andthe shoes C have the wedge faces 3l theieofengaging respectively the 'wedge faces 23 of the membeiuBand the frontwedge .faeesof the -outer pairl of shoes C,

the followerfmembers Dof'the friction wedge unit. interposed between:the friction slices Ghavethe wedge faces 31 'thereof engaging fthe4adjacent A wedge faces 271fof` said slices, and the followernienibers Dofthe rearmost friction wedge. unit have the wedge ,faces 3l thereofengaging, the inner wedge faceszQT of the adjacent shoes C and the wet-eesfaces 2l Jof thecasing A. ln order to maintainthe two; pairsI `of`spring follower membersDaassociated with each pair of laminated plateAsprings' `in proper. alineinent each member D is provided with a pair.of guide Vlugs .3Q-32 which cooperatewith .guide pockbers 32 formingabutments `.for the opposite `ends of the plates. inasmuch .as themembers 32 of two .adjacent springfollcwers D overlap inf'all Vpositionsof the parts, it will be appreciated that the `spring plates are at alltimes confined between the same. f.

Ainthewedge block B and 'the enlargements 22 on the top and bottom wallsof the casing. When the parts are assembled, the bolts are preferably soadjusted that the laminated `plate springs E are under `initialcompression.

As will be evident,with the plate springs un- Y derinitial compression,there is a tendency for the same to forcethe spring follower members Dinto intimatecontactV with-the cooperating wedge faces of the wedge.block B, the shoes C and the casing A and Vhold the shoes incontactlwith the friction surfaces of the casing, thuscompensatingforwear of the Awedge faces and` friction surfaces of themechanism. 1

The operation of my improved shock abA sorbing mechanism is as follows.v Upon either a draft orbuliing action being .applied tothe frictionshock absorbing mechanism,the front follower 15 and the casing A'will bemoved inwardly relatively to each other. Upon inward movement o f thefollower 15, the main wedge member B will be forced inwardly of thecasing A, thereby forcing the front pair of Vspring followerfmembers l)inwardly also and compressingthe outer. pair of laminated plate springsPressure will he communicat`- edtlirough tliespring members yto the`rear pair of spring followers which will be wedged against the outerpair of friction shoes C, forcing the latter rearwardly and setting up awedging Aaction between the` same and the lpair of front spring followermembers D of the intermediate pair of laminated f plate springs `Theforce will be communicated from the springs E to the rearpair ofspringfollower members D cooperating.therewith and setup la wedgingactionbetween the .same .and the innermost-pair of friction slices C, forcingthe latter rearwardly and setting uplra wedging action between the sameand 9o Vthe front pair of spring `followers D of the rear'm'ost setofflaminated plate springs. The

force `will be transmitted through the last named laminated platesprings to the pair of spring followers at the rear endof the casing,-therebysetting up Val wedging action between the samef and the wedgefaces 2l. As will be evident, during the compression .action the curvedspring plates will beV straightened or flattened., thereby spreadingapart the spring llim Vfollowers D at opposite sides of the mechanisniiland causing the same to slide laterally Youtwardly Von the cooperatingwedge faces of the wedge member B, the shoes C and the casingA. Inasmuchas the overall dimension T05 fof-thelthree pairs of laminated platesprings lengthwise of the gear is decreased during the straightening Aorflattening of the plates, 'the .friction shoes C will-slide inwardly onthe friction'surfaces of the 'casing during com- 51.10 pression of themechanism7 thereby augment-V `ing the resistance odered. Additionalfrictional resistance will also be had Ibetween the plate members ofeach laminated plate spring 4due to `slippage between the Vcooperatingsur- 115 faces of these plates Vwhile the same -arebe- Ving flexed.-Compression of the mechanism will Vbe' limited by engagement of themainfollower `l5 with the outer end of the casing `A,-`wherenpontheactuatingforce is trans- 120 mit'ted directly to the casing, relievingthelaminated'plate' springs from excessive compression.

In release of the mechanismV when the actuating force is reduced, thetendency of the laminated plate spring members to assume their normalcurved orbowed condition will effect restoration of the spring followermembers D andthe friction shoes C together with lthe main wedge member Dto the former full 'release position, outward movement of the wedgemember `B being` limited by the retainer bolts F-F.

From the preceding description taken in connection with the drawinos, itvill be evident that I have provided an exceedingly simple and efhcientfriction shock absorping mechanism, having relatively high capacity andassured release, the cooperating wedge faces of the mechanism being ofsuch angularity that the cooperating wedge members are free to drop awayfrom each other as soon as the actuating force is reduced in release.

I have herein shown and described what I now consider the preferredmanner of carrying out my invention, but the same is merel villustrative and I contemplate all changes and modifications that comewithin the scope of the claims appended hereto.

I claim:

l. In a friction shockV absorbing mechanism, the combination with aplurality of sets of blocks, each set comprising two adjacent pairs, theblocks of each pair being laterally separable and adjacent pairs beingmovable toward each other lengthwise of the mechanism; of friction shoeson which said blocks are slidable; friction members on which said shoesare slidable to create friction; front and rear follower members movabletoward and away from each other in a direction lengthwise of themechanism; and spring resistance means interposed between said followersand engaging the blocks of said pairs, said spring resistance meansbeing compressed longitudinally and expanded laterally of the mechanismby movement of the follower members toward each other to force saidblocks apart and effect sliding movement thereof on the friction shoesand sliding movement of the shoes on said members.

2. In a friction shock absorbing mechanism, the combination with frontand rear followers relatively movable toward and away from each other ina direction lengthwise of the mechanism; of spring means interposedbetween said followers and adapted to be compressed during relativeapproach of the followers, saitL spring means being expandable laterallyof the mechanism upon being compressed lengthwise of the same; andfriction means including a member having a longitudinally disposedfriction surface, blocks and shoes, said shoes being movable toward eachother on said surface during compression of the mechanism, said blocksbeing forced laterally outwardly by lateral expansion of the springmeans and forced to slide on said shoes.

3. In a friction shock absorbing mechanism. the combination withfriction means including a member having opposed longitudinally disposedfriction surfaces, of friction shoes having sliding movement on saidsurfaces, and wedge blocks having wedging engagement with said shoes,said blocks being movable laterally outwardly on said shoes of springresistance means expandable laterally upon being compressed lengthwiseof the mechanism for effecting relative movement of said shoes andblocks; and follower acting means for elfectingcompression ofsaid springresistance means lengthwise of the mechanism and movement of said shoestoward each other and said friction member.

4L. In a friction shock absorbing mechanism, the combination withfriction means, including members disposed at opposite sides of themechanism, a plurality of sets of spaced shoes having sliding engagementon said members, and blocks arranged at opposite sides of the mechanismand having engagement with the said shoes on inclined surfaces; of tyansversely disposed bowed spring plates interposed between the wedgeblocks at opposite sides of the mechanism, said spring plates beingflexed to straighten the same when compressed, thereby forcing saidelements apart and effecting relative approach of said sets of shoeslengthwise of the mech'- anism; and means at opposite ends of themechanism movable toward each other to compress said spring plates.

5. In a friction shock absorbing mechanism, the combination with afollower fasing having opposed interior friction surfaces; of aplurality of sets of friction shoes,

the members of each set being disposed at opposite sides of the casingand movable lengthwise of said friction surfaces each shoe having frontand rear wedge faces; wedge blocks at opposite sides of the casinghaving wedging engagement with said front and rear wedge faces of theshoes; transversely disposed bowed spring plates within the casinginterposed between the wedge blocks at opposite sides of the mechanism;and a follower member, said member and casing being relatively movabletoward and away from each other, said follower member and casingcooperating with the plates to compress the same lengthwise of themechanism, thereby effecting flattening thereof.

6. In a friction shock absorbing mechanism, the combination with acasing having interior opposed friction surfaces; of a plurality oftransversely disposed laminated plate springs within the casing, theplates of each spring being bowed and the convex outer surface of eachplate spring engaging the outer convex surface of the next adjacentplate spring; longitudinally disposed pairs of wedge blocks, the blocksof one pair cooperating with one of said laminated plate springs, andthe blocks of another pair cooperating with the next adjacent platesprinfr, each laminated plate spring having the oppo- `pair offlaminatedplate'springs being 'disposed adjacent eachotherwitlrthe `convex sidesthereof in abutment; two pairsof wedge blocks at opposite sides ofthemechanism,the

blocks of each pair being engaged` bythe opposite endsof each laminatedplate spring; and member-shaving vwedge faces cooperating with each pairof wedge bloclnsysaidv being movable toward each other lengthwise of themechanism duriiigcompression of the mechanism to effect compressionofsaid lamiiiated plate springsand lateral outward movementof the wedgeblocks. n

8. In a friction shock absorbing mechanism;the combination with. a pairof laminated plate springs, the plate'members of which. arecurvedtransverselyof the mechanism and the outer convex Vsurfaces of said twoplate springs being in abutment; a pair of spring follower blocks`cooperating with v each laminated plate spring,-said blocks of eachpair being disposed vat opposite sides of the mechanism andengagingtheconcave sides of said spring plates, each block havinglongitudinally disposed abutment faces engagingthe corresponding endofthe cooperating laminated plate spring; and wedge members havingwedging engagement with the blocks for forcing the blocks of thefpair oflaminated plate springs toward each other lengthwise `of themechanism,thereby compressing said springs and flattening the same `to effectlateral separation oftheblocks at opposite sides of the mechanism. Y

9. In a friction shock absorbing mechanism, theV combination withfollowers relatively movable toward and away from each other lengthwiseofthe mechanism;of latferally,.inwardly.actingfront and rear wedge meansat lopposite sides offthe mechanism,

.v said front and rear wedge means being-movaoletoward each other uponrelative approach.

ofjsaid followers; `a plurality ofppairsof wedge blocks;'the members ofeach pair of which are disposed at `opposite sides Vof the mechanism,one of said pai-rsof blocksi cooperating with the front'wedge meaiisandthe otherv pair cooperating with the lrear wedge means; andtransversely arranged laminated plate springs interposed Vbetween leach,pair of wedge blocks,- the plates of yeach spring assenso beingtransversely curved and Vsaid'springs being in abutmentA and each ofsaid wedge blocks having a transversely disposed spring followerportioncooperating' with the corref and said casing alson having opposedlaterally; inwardly acting wedge faces; friction slices disposed atopposite sides of the mechposedylaterally, inwardly acting wedge facesanisin and cooperating Vwith the friction surfaces "of the casing; saidlshoes `presenting laterally, inwardly acting wedge faces; laminatedplate springs arranged in pairs, Y said pairs of` springs being inVabutment, the i plates of each spring being curved and diswedgemembersof said two pairs of blocks posed transversely of the mechanism; and apair of spring followerbloclrs cooperating with each laminated-L platespring and ar.- ranged on opposite sides of themechanism, said blockshaving longitudinal abutment faces engaging the opposite ends of thespring` plates, and leach-block having wedging engagement with oneofsaid wedge faces.

11. In a vfriction shock absorbing mechanism, Ithe combination `with afollowercasing having opposed interiorr friction surfaces and a pair ofopposed interior wedge faces; of] friction shoes at opposite sides ofthemechanism, each cooperating lwith one of said casing friction surfaces,and each` having front and rear wedge faces on the inner sides thereof;a wedge meansmovable inwardly of' the casing, said wedge means havingopposed interior wedgeifaces; a plurality of spring follower blocksarranged in pairs at opposite sidesV of the mechanisirneach spring blockhaving wedging` engagement with one of said .wedge faces; and laminatedplate 'springsarranged in adjacent jpairsand cooperating withY theopposed-'blocksof one pair,v said laminated plate vsprings eachincluding a' plurality of transversely curved plate members and eachpair of laminated plate springs having the convex faces thereof inabutment.'

`12. Y In a friction shock absorbing Amechanism, the combination' with afollowercas- .ingfclosed' at one endf and openat the' oppositee`nd,said\ casing .having interior op- `posed..wedge faces Vatsaidclosed end and` longitudinally disposed interior friction surand eachhaving front and rear wedge faces on the inner sides thereof; aplurality of friction wedge units; each including front and rear pairsof spring follower blocks and a pair of laminated front and rear platesprings cooperating respectively with said pairs of spring followerblocks,y the blocks of each pair having longitudinally disposed abutmentfaces engaging the opposite ends of the plates of the correspondinglaminated plate spring and each having an outer wedge face; the platesof each `spring being curved transversely of the mechanism and theconvex surfaces of said pair of laminated plate springs being arrangedadjacent and in abutment with each other, one of said friction wedgeunits being interposed between the wedge faces of the casing and one ofsaid pairs of shoes with the wedge faces of the spring follower blocksthereof cooperating with said casing and shoe wedge faces, another ofsaid friction wedge units being interposed between the two pairs offriction shoes with the wedge faces of the spring follower blocksthereof in wedging engagement with the wedge faces of the shoes7 andanother of said wedge units being interposed between the wedge means andthe adjacent pair of sho-es with the wedge faces of the spring followerblocks thereof in wedging engagement with the wedge faces of said pairof shoes andthe wedge means.

13. In a friction shock absorbing mechanism, the combination with frontand rear follower members relatively movable toward and away from eachother, each follower having opposed interior wedge faces; ofv

means between said followers and movable with one of said followershaving fixed, interior opposed friction surfaces; friction shoes atopposite sides of the mechanism cooperating with the opposed frictionsurfaces of said means; each of said shoes having front and rear wedgefaces on the inner side thereof; laminated plate springs arrangedtransversely of the mechanism, said plate springs being arranged inabutting pairs and the plates of each spring being curved transverselyof the mechanism; a pair of spring follower blocks cooperating with eachlaminated plate spring, said follower blocks of each pair being disposedat opposite sides of the mechanism and the two pairs of spring blockscooperating with each pair of laminated plate springs being arrangedrespectivelv in front and in back of said pair of springs. each blockhaving a longitudinally disposed face engaging the corresponding end ofthe cooperating laminated plate spring and also having wedgingengagement with one of said wedge faces.

lli. In a friction shock absorbing mechanism, the combination with acasing having opposed lona'itudinallyv extending interior frictionsurfaces; of a plurality ofA wedge assenso friction units within thecasing, each unit of the other spring and said springs being inabutment, the blocks of each pair being separable laterally and havingabutment faces engaging,the-opposite ends of the adjacent laminatedplate spring, cach block having an outer wedge face; wedge means movableinwardly of the casing and having interior opposed wedge facesengaging'the wedge faces of the outer pair of spring blocks of one ofsaid wedge units; opposed interior wedge faces on the casing havingwedging engagement with the rear pair spring follower blocks of anotherof said units; and friction shoes at opposite sides of the meehanismhaving frictional engagement with the opposed friction surfaces of thecasing and having w dge means thereon engaging with the remaining frontand rear pairs of spring follower blocks of the wedge friction units.

l5. In a friction shock absorbing mechanism` the combination with acasinghaving interior opposed friction surfaces; of a plurality oftransversely disposed laminated plate springs within the casing; theplates of each spring being bowed, said laminated plate springs beingarranged in abutting pairs, the plates of adjacent laminated platesprings being reversely curved; a pair of wedge blocks cooperating withone of the laminated plate springs of said pair; a second pair of wedgeblocks cooperating with the other spring of said pair, each plate springhavingf the opposite ends thereof engaging said blocks; friction shoesslidable lengthvise on the friction surfaces of the casing and eachhaving wedging engagement with two of said wedge blocks. and followermeans cooperating with said laminated plate springs 'to Hex the same toeffect lateral elongation thereof to spread said wedge blocks apart.

16. In a friction shock absorbing mechanisin; the combination with apair of laminated plate spring members` the plate members of each beingdisposed transversely of the mechanism and curved in a transversedirection, the pair of laminated plate springs being disposed adjacenteachother in engagement, the plates of one of said laminated platesprings being curved reif'ersely with respect to the plates of the otherlaminated plate spring of said pair; a pairof wedge blocks at oppositesides of the mechanism engaged by the opposite ends of each laminatedplate spring; and wedge means cooperating with each lpair of wedgeblocks said wedge means of said two pairs of blocks being` movabletowardeach other during compression of the mechanism to effectY compression ofsaid laminated plate springs and lateral outward movement of said wedgeblocks.

17. In a friction shock absorbingmechanism, the combination with a pairof laminated plate springs, the plate members of which arecurvedtransversely of the mechanism, the plates of each of said springsbeing reversely curved with' respect to theV plates of the other springof said pair,v said pair of springs being in bearing engagement;

of a pair of spring follower blocks .cooperating with each laminatedplate spring, said spring follower blocks of said pair of springs beingdisposed on opposite sides thereofl and said blocks of each pair beingdisposed jat opposite sides of the mechanism, each block having anabutment face, the abutment faces of each pair 'engaging the oppositeends of the .corresponding laminated plate spring;V and wedge actingmeans having wedging en-y gagement with thespriiig blocks for forcingsaid spring blocks of the pair of laminated plate springs toward eachother lengthwise of the mechanism, thereby compressing said springs andflattening the same to effect lateral separation of said blocks atopposite sides of the` mechanism.

18. ln a friction shock absorbingl mechanism, the combination withfollowers relatively movable toward and away from each other lengthwiseof the mechanism; of wedge means movable with each follower; said lwedge means of each follower presenting 1n-' wardly acting wedge faces;two pairs of wedge blocks. the members of each pair of which aredisposed at opposite sides of the mechanism cooperating with the opposedwedge faces of the wedge means movable with each follower; and a pairvoftransversely arranged laminated plate springs, one of said springsbeing interposed between tne members of eachpair of wedge blocks, theplates of each spring being transversely bowed and said pair of springsbeing arranged with thel plates thereof ,reversely curved, said pair oflaminated springs being in abutment and each of said wedge blocks havinga transversely disposed spring follower portion cooperating with thecorresponding laminated plate spring.

In witness that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto subscribed mynamefthis 15th da)T of May, V1929.

JonaT nocoNNoia.

